I bought windows 7 so I can get rid of windows 8. Is there one place I can go for instructions for backup, deleting W8 and installing W7? I am not very techie these days so easily understandable is needed. thanks.

Trying to downgrade is fraught with peril because you may not have compatible BIOS and drivers. Before proceeding with this, download and install Classic Start and see if you aren't satisfied with it. It will give you the classic Start button and menu that we have in earlier versions of Windows 8. I'm no fan of Windows 8, but Classic Start removes most of the objections most folks have and can save you from the dangerous pursuit of trying to downgrade.` Good luck.

Before you do this not only must you find all the drivers but the HELPER APPLICATIONS for this machine. On laptops this becomes very hard on those new to installing windows from scratch. Only the maker will have these helper apps.

-> But that's not the big trap. The biggest trap is if your machine has UEFI and secure boot. Since you didn't supply make and model number, I can't check to see if there is a way to get out of that trap.

Finally, Classic Start is your best ticket and far cheaper. I had my reservations too but that's what I'm doing and it's very good and addresses most of my concerns.Bob

This is the system I have. I called Dell and they gave me a website to download the drivers for win 7 (http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/555/ServiceTag/DGC0GX1?s=biz&~ck=mn). I have had so many problems with win8 and email etc costing me much time and aggravation. I am hesitant to attempt installing win7. I don't have the time to invest hours and days into this. I bought a new computer with win8 last November to make it easier for me and save me time. This has been a great expense for me in several ways. I have a choice...continue being frustrated and dissatisfied or take the plunge and start from scratch.

If you install the free Classic Start, Windows will look and work very much like Windows 7. For email you can download and install Windows Live Mail for free from the MS web site and have the same email you'd have with Windows 7. This is much easier, simpler, cheaper, and safer than trying to downgrade a computer that was designed to run Windows 8.` Good luck.

Both will handle PDF files. In fact in desktop mode just about anything that runs under Windows 7 will run on Windows 8. It's just those silly new metro mode apps that're childish, silly, and buggy. Stick with desktop mode, and you'll have few if any problems. Classic Start will always boot to desktop mode.` Good luck.

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